Printing process



B. F. TERRY v 2,273,740 PRINTING PROCESS Filed Feb. 15, l19:59 3`sh'eets-sheet 1 INVENToR gg Benn@ ETev'I/y.4

Feb. 17,A 1942. B. F. TERRY v 2,273,740

PRINTING PROCESS Filed Feb. 15, 1959 3 Sheets-Shee-t 2 INVENToR Feb. 17, 1942. B. F. TERRY K 2,273,740

v PRINTING PRocEss' Filed Feb. .15, 19h59. s sheets-snaai :s

INVENTOR .B677 effi.' Terry. BY M/ A oR'NEY" lfatented Feb. A17, 1942 Bennett F. Terry, New York, lil. Y. Application February 15, 1939, Serial No. 256,608

claims. (ci. lor-17o) This invention pertains to improvements in records and processes and apparatus for using `the-same.

' An objectof the invention is to provid'e improved means of preserving data in the form of records. f

Another object isto provide suitable processes.

and apparatus for utilizing the improved records.

A further object,v is to provide records of the above nature in which the data recordings cornprise oilset areas, depressions 'or'protrusions of the face of a film.

Another object is to provide records of the above type inwhich the individual recordings may be of minute size.

Another object is to provide means'to ltransfer, duplicate or reproducerecorded'data by means of inks and the like.

Another object is to provide records of the. above type adapted to control record-controlled devices such -as tabulating machines.

Another object is to provide suitable sensing means for use with the above records.

A further object is to provide suitable apparatus to record the data on the lm by means of iight. f n

Another object is to provide amethod of ink printing which includes continuous transfer of y ink impressions to a receiving material in non. repetitive succession `from a strip-like member having thereon a non-repetitive series of ink carrying members. l Y

'A stillfurther object is to provide a process using nlm means of the above type formulticolored printing. l

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear dun'ng the course fof the following description in connection with the attached drawings, in which: y

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a sensing means for use on tabulating machines and the like;

Figure 2 is an end sectional view of the same 'in the plane 2 2, Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a portion of record lm; t Figure 4 is a detail view of an alternative form of sensing switch and lever arrangement;

Figure 5 is a fragmentalA front view illustrating.

the sensing device mounted on a tabulating machine;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of a device for recording data;

Figure 7 is a plan view o1' the keyboard of the same;

30 case of present, punchedcard records.

35 be placed on a small area of lm.

i Figure 8 is a fragmental view of an alternative shape of platen for the sensing means;

Figure 9 is anenlarged detail view of a preferred form of ink. printing roller and related 5 apparatus;

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic illustration of a variation of the ink printing process suitable for reproduction of printed matter from microfilm andthelike;y Y 10 Figure l1 shows a second `modiilcation of the ink printing process; and

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view of means for l assembling a plurality of recordings on a single receiving strip or film.

l5 Referring to Figure 3, the numeral 20 indicate l a short section of iilm which may be 'provided with the usual sprocket perforations 2i either on one or both borders. 'Ihe lm 20 carries data recordings generally denoted by the numeral 22,

which recordings may be in the form of protruin Figure 3 is typical of data recordings suitable for use in a tabulating machine, it being under stood that while the record is shown with ten rows of protrusions by way of illustration, any desired number of rowsl may be provided as in the It will be further understood that while the protrusions `are shown or substantial size for clarityof de' scription, in practice they may be of minute size, permitting a large amount of recorded data to Referring to Figures 1 and 2, which show in detail a sensing means adapted for use with the recordson nlm 20, the numeral 23 indicates an arcuate body or frame which may be mounted on 4 0 a tabulating machine 32 as illustrated diagramnormally holds the uptumed edges of the platen 26 accurately in engagement with the end members 24 and 25. Y

The platen 26 is adapted to support and guide the fllm 20, which may be fed thereover' by any suitable mechanism such as the reels 29 and lll and sprocket 3|, Figure 5. Shoes 32 and 33 secured to springs 34 and 35, which in turn are secured to the members 24 and 25. resiliently engage the borders of the lm 20 to hold the latter g iiaton the platen 26. As an alternative ar- -springs 48 backed by a Second cross pin 4|.'`

Plates 42, clamped between spacer washers 43 on a cross bolt 44, act as separatorsbetween the levers 31, 31a, etc., and also retain the springs 48 laterally in position. s

'I'he Contact lever 31h shown in Figure 1, has a rearwardly extending arm 45 engaging an insulating block 48 on the upper resilient member f 41'of a Vnormally open switch or contacter 4 8.-

The two sides 41 and 520i the contactor 48 are f' provided with leads 53 and 54 for connection `in the proper control circuit of the tabulating machine 32, all the other contactors being ,provided with similar leads. vA conduit box or cover 55, Figure `5, may be provided to protect th`e wiring in place on the machine 32. l

It will be seen that the location of the second cross pinl 4| to the left of fulcrum pin 38,1to-

gether with the points of engagement of the` spring48 withthe lever 31h, cause the latter to be urged clockwise, clockwise movement however,

e being prevented by the engagement of the point of lever aw with the hun .2o. As the fum zo moves to the right, a protrusion '22 encountering the point of lever 31h raises the point, swinging the lever counter-clockwise and causing the arm 45h to close the contacter 48.

The lever 81c, adjacent lever 31D; alsov has rear arm 45e adapted to close a contactor 48 v when a protrusion on the film 28 moves under the point of lever 31c. The arm 45c, however, is directed angularly above the arm 45h. Simrvilarly the levers'31d and 31o lhave arms 45d and 45e adapted to close contactors 58 and 5| respec tively, the arms being directed at different anl Sles above the horizontal.

Thus, the entire bank of levers, while identical in their engaging points, spring and fulcrum arrangement, have their switch closing arms staggered progressively in groups. The present illustration shows the progressive staggering as occurring in groups of four levers, but it is obvious that a group may be made to contain six or other numbers of levers. The purpose of this group staggeringl is to permit the levers themselves to be verythin and closely spaced While allowing the contactors to be of ample size.

While the size of levers and related parts is` greatly exaggerated, in Figures 1k and 2, as previously noted, it will be evident that bythe structure, described a. large number of levers with engaging points closely spaced may be provided tively brings'the image into relief. The lm'is then washed and dried, the unexposed portions remaining as protrusions above the general level of the iilm surface.

'rneactuai height of uneI promisibn z2 is de-l pendent on the thickness of the emulsion, and when using the process for record purposes in I rconnection with tabulating machines an emulsion of substantial thickness may be provided in order to avoid the necessity for undue delicacy in the mechanical structure of the sensing means,

- Figures land 2. It will be noted however, the )arcs of swing Yof th points of levers 3111, 81e l. etc., are nearly tangent to the film 28, so that' as arprotrusion 22 moves .to the right and engages-l the point of lever 31h, for example, the latter is moved a distance much greater than the height of the protrusion.r In consequence, a comparatively small height of protrusion produces a comparatively large angular motion of the lever imparting ample motion to the end ofthe long arm 45h to eiectually close the contacter 48.

In order to effect the placing of protrusions .'22 on'the iilm 28 in `proper relation for\use with the sensing means Figures land l2, a device of the type illustrated inVFigures 6 and 'l may be used. Referring to Figure 6, a' normally light in practicel thereby allowing for operation by minute and closely spaced protrusions on lthe film but allowing the contactors to be of ample size to transmit the small currents called for in actuating the control,mech'anismsiorv instance of tabulating machines.

The positive lm is first exposed under -the negative, then developed, preferably in a nonvtanning developer, xed and washed in the usual manner.' The lm is then treated with a solution such as `copper sulphate, potassium bromide,

'potassium bichromate and' water, which selec" tight casing 58 has fixed thereinl a horizontal partition `51 'provided with a plurality of apertures 58 arranged in a pattern corresponding to that of the tabulating 'form. A suitable lens system 59 is mounted above'a window 88 in the bottom 8| .of casing 58. The lens 58 is adapted.

to focus a reduced image of the apertures' 58 on the film 28 which is disposed on reels 82 and l 83 in a suitable magazine 84, the magazine'being removably secured to the bottom 8|. A drive sprocket is provided v.with an exterior ratchet 88 operable bya pawl 81 on a lever 88 rotatably mounted on the sprocket shaft 88. A spring 18` normallyholds the lever 88 upward. A vertical plunger 1| extending through the bottom- 8| and top 12 of the casing 58 and provided with a finger button 13, overlies the lever 88 and is normally held upwardly on interior spring 14. When the button is depressed, the plunger A1| swingsth'e lever 88 downward against a stopg18, thus' revolving they ratchet 88 and sprocket 85 through -v a. predetermined angle and lfeeding the film 28 to the left a corresponding amount.

A tubular illuminating means 18`disposed above the partition 51, is so formed yas to overlie all the apertures 58, 4and is provided with a transformer 11 mounted in a rear chamber 18 of the casing 58.V Primary conductors 18 and 80 of the transformer 11 lead through' a normally open push button switch 8| to an exterior SupplyQrd 82 adapted to be connected to any suitable source of current.

Individual shutters 83 arempivotally mounted on rods 83 so as to normally block the apertures `58. Vertical rods 85 pivoted to levers 88 on the shutters 88, extend upward through slots 81, 88 and 88 respectively in a support plate 88, a re',-

lease plate 8|, and the top or keyboard 12.4 The tops of the rods 8'5 are provided with keys 8,2. Tension springs 83, secured to' the bottom of the supportplate 90, urge the rods 85 forward and upward, normally'holding the shutters 83 in V closed positions. A11v angular tooth 84 is provided on each of the rods 85. Whena key, for example key 82a, is depressed, the downward movement of the rod 85a swings the shutter 83a clear of the aperture 58a as shown in Figure 6,`

the other shutters to the rear of 88a having been on the nlm 20.

cut away in the drawings to clarify the showing'. As the tooth 04a falls below the bottom of the keyboard 12, the forward pull ofn the tension spring 03a swings the rod 00a forward, causing the tooth 04a to move under the forward edge of the slot a' and hold'the shutter locked open when the operators nnger is withdrawn from the key 02a. In other words, depression of any key locks open the `corresponding shutter.

Obviously any desired symbols may be assigned tn the4 keys 02, and their number, arrangement and the corresponding patterniof apertures may be varied in any desired manner, depending on the system of recordings used with 'a particular type of tabulating machine; it will be understood'that the form shown is merely for purposes of illustration.

The release plate 0| is slidable oni the support plate 00 and has two extensions. protruding through the front of the casing 50. A release space, and due tothe small movement and low inertia of the sensing. members. records can be sensed at much higher speed than ispossible with large amount of data to be recorded in minimum other types of records'such 'as punched cards and v the'like, f

In some cases it maybe'desired to retain the original nlm as a master-record and to duplicate "the data for u se in the machine or machines. For this purpose the original nlm may be simply developed and used as a negative from which positives are made, afterwhich the 'positives are treated in the manner previouslydescribed.

bar 90 is secured to the extensions 95, and compression springs, 01 normally hold the release plate in forward position as shown. When the bar 00 is pushed inward the movement of release plate 0| swings the rods 00 rearwardly so that if any rods are in depressed position their teeth 04 are disengaged from the front edges of the keyboard slots 09, allowing the rods to be drawnv upward by their springs to lclose the correspondlng shutters.

In the preferred method of making a record, the bperator first depresses the various keys It corresponding to the desired pattern. thus locking open the corresponding shutters 00. 'As soon as theset-up is complete, the switch 0| is closed,

the latter illuminating only the open apertures. A reduced'lmage of the pattern formed by the illuminated apertures is projected by the lens 9 The switch 0| having been released, extinguishing the tube 10, threlease bar 00 is pushed to cause the shutters 00 to'close,

-f above.described negative by meansshown dia'- energizing the transformer l1 andthe tube 10,

. The nlm is pressed or squeezed between the roll- Y and the plunger 1| is depressed to feed the nlm and place the device in condition for making the f next record.

avoiding loss of time in making records and waste of nlm through errors. It will be noted, however, that' if for any reason it is' desiredA -to impress symbols individually, this can be done by operating the switch 0| and release bar 00 after each single depression of a key. Y

When a series of record pleted on the nlm .20 the latter may bev developed. a positive -madefrom it, and treated in the manner previously 4described to lcomplete the record for use with the sensing means, Figure 1, the protrusions 22 occurring on the nlm wherever an image of an illuminatedaperture l0 has been photographed.

Records made by the described process may be very small in area, the diminution being limited only by the minimum size to. which the parts of the sensing means may practically be reduced, which size as previously pointed out, may be brought-within .very low compass by accurate .;manu'facture. Obviously, the method permits a patterns has been corn-vx up'before exposure is obviously advantageous' in If desired,`2however, the negative itself may be subjected to the bleaching and tanning process,-`

then used directly to operate the sensing device,

in which case the latter isarrlanged as shown in Figure 4, wherein thecontactr 00 is of the selfclosing type and is normally held open by the bar 45 as the point of lever 01h rideson the upper surface of the nlm 20a. When the point' of 01h drops into a depression llaforming part of the record, th contactor closes automatically to energize its control circuit. When the negative is used in this manner the wiring of the sensing means is arranged to vcompensate for the. .reversal in relative positions of the data markings from that, occurring in the positive. From the above it is evident that the invention-comprises. controlling a sensing means by differences in thickness of the record, the controlling yfactors being either protrusions ondepressions.

Duplicate records may also be made from the grammatically in Figure,"9. In this'case the nlm' 20a, containingthe sunken portions or depressions 22a, subjected to a suitable bath 00, for

example, a solution of glycerine and water; which renders it more pliable. and swells the emulsion, increasing' the depths of the depressions 22a.

ers |00 and |0| to remove the excess bath liquid and vis conducted over a third rollen |02. As the nlm 20a passes over the roller |02 it receives l a charge |03 of pigment such as oil engraving ink'from a feeder |04. A resilient wiper |00 spreads the ink evenly into the depressions 22a and removes it from the upper surface ofthe film, the dampness of the nlm surface preventing'the oily ink from adhering thereto so that the only remaining ink is that mechanically retained in the depressions: 'I'he nlmis then drawn between two rollers |00 and |00 which press-it into` intimate contact with a second strip ||0 which may be of 'paper or `the like or may .be a second nlm having a surface adapted to reroller |09 serve to drive the nlm and'receiving strip and to keepthem in proper registry, the vrollerf |00 having socketslll. As the nlm 20a and stripv ||0 pass'between' the rollers. the lea'ves the depressions 22a andadheres to the strip l0 in raised portions H0, producing a pattern on 'the strip. which is a reversed duplicate of that impressedon the original negative i'llln;y If

ink of adequate hardness is used', after drying the newly produced duplicate record may be used to'actuate the sensing device, Figure-1, in the manner already'descrlbed. By the above method any desired number -of records may be made on cheap material such as paper, the nlm 20a.

any other suitable. material may be employed in the manner described.

vIt will be obvious to those skilled in the art i that the method and apparatus vdescribed in connection with diagrammatic Figure 9 may also be used to reproduce other than tabulation data,

for example, printed matter'and the like photographed on microfilm.l For direct reproduction- Avfor instance of printed matter in its original values, i. e., black letters on white background or The `data to be reproduced is photographed on the lm by any suitable means.

The film is developed, fixed, hardened and washed normally. In the case of material to be printed in the re, verse tone relation, a Positive film printis made directly from theoriginal negative, and this positive film is also-developed, `fixed,.hardened and -washed in the usual manner.

e 'Ihe positive is then bleached and tanned during which process 'the exposed portions of the emulsion recede, leaving the unexposed portions protruding above the general film level with surfaces' adapted to Iretain certain wet inks.

For ink printing the film may be used at once before drying or if stored in dried condition may Ibe redampened for flexibility and additional elevation of the unexposed portions as previously set forth. Referring to diagrammatic Figure( l1. which shows "a process suitable. for use when printing is to be done on opaque media such as paper, the positive film I|4 is first passed under a suitable ink roller IIB which deposits ink of a character adapted to adhere tothe upraised portions ||6. The film is. then passed between' a pressure roller and a transfer or offset roller I I9, preferably of rubber or the like. The wet ink is transferred from'the portions I I6 to the surface of roller I8, The receiving strip I 9 is passed between the surface of oiset roller ||8 vand a second pressure roller |20, by which process the ink image is retransferred from the offset roller ||8 to the surface of strip ||9 in proper relation for direct viewing. The rollerA ||9 is l continuously cleansed of ink in a bath |2| of suitable highly volatile solvent such as carbontetrachloride. A resilient' scraper |22 removes ,f excess solvent, and the highly volatile character of the solvent causes the latter to evaporate completelyirom the roller surface prior to the next application of ink. If desired, in order to increase the speed of operation of the apparatus, an air blast furnished by a blower |23 through a: nozzle |20 may be employed to assist rapid evaporation.

merals |26, |21 and |28 indicate baths of suitable transparent inks of the colors it is desired to combine on they strip |29. Tanned negative films |30, |3I and |32 made by any suitable multi-color photographic means are pressed between rollers |33 and inking rollers`|26a, |2'Ia and |28a, dipping in the ink baths |26. |21 and .|20 of the colors to be produced by theirpartial images, the various portions of the films retain- `receiving strip |29 by a sprocketed roller |09 and registering roller |08 of the type previously tration of thepartial images.

described, thereby impressing the one color partial image on the moving strip |29. The latter then may pass through an electric oven |34 providing a mild heat to dry the ilrst application of ink. The second and third color partial images are successively superimposed on the first partial images in the same manner as described; sprocketed rollers |09a and |0927 and registering tellers |08a and |0|lb being initially brought into engagement with the various films in proper relation toprovide continuously accurate regis- Second and third ovens |34a and |34b. serve to dry thepink impressions from lms |3I and |32 in the manner described. \To cool the strip |29 after each drying'and thus promote rapid operation, the strip may be conducted through laterally slotted air conduits |35,` |35a and |35b supplied with air blast by a suitable blower |36. If desired, the ink may be only partially dried inthe ovens and drying may be completed by the air blasts, this procedure permitting the use -of lmilder heat in the ovens. i

.It will be seen that the foregoing process, using surface application of inks, for transfer, makes possible the production of color films simply,

rapidly and'wlth a minimum of transfer operations.-4 The stock comprising the receiving strip I may be of various low costmaterials, the principal requirements being a surface capable of ref ceiving the inks and suilicl'ent body to retain its accuracy in productionand in the use Ato which it` is to be put after completion.

While the foregoing process has been described as operating with three colors, it is obvious that it may be` applied to any ynumber of colors of which partial images may be made. In connection with lall varieties of the Aprocess described,

lmay b e washed in any suitable ink solvent.

It will be apparent from the -foregoing that ,the invention makes possible substantially continuous reproduction by printing from strip or ribbon-like supports or carriers having ink carrylng patterns or members arranged in nonplication oi' the invention tomult-color printing',

the process being particularly adapted to rapid 4und cheap production of natural color motion picture film. Referring to Figure'iZ, the nurepetitive succession, and that this process may have a wide variety of applications in addition to the examples described.

While the invention has been set forth inv pre- Vferred forms. it is not limited to the precise structures and processes described, as various modications lmay be made without departing from the scope ofthe appended claims.

the intensity of What is Vclaimed is:

1. That method of forming a series of natural colored transparencies from three 4vphotographic strip films having supplementary partial images ality of` ribbon-like supports'each carrying a non-repetitive series of ink-carrying members, the ink-carrying members of each of said supports forming sunken portions thereon comprisphotegraphicauy impressed thereon in sunken 5 ins patterns supplementaryto corresponding pat-v portions in correspondence respectively to the intensities ofy three predetermined colors to be yselectively combined. which comprises developing said films, treating said films chemically to bring terns of the ink-carrying members of said other supports, means toA continuously applyy inks to the sunken portions of said members, a continuously movable receiving strip, meansto maintain said partial images into relief, applying translil a zone of said receiving' strip in substantially parent inks of said three predetermined colors separately to thesunken portions of said respective'-lms, and continuously pressingr said three illms into registered contact with a movthree spaced and aligned stations whereby said inks may be transferred Ai'roxn said sunken portions forming said partial images to the surface of said strip to form partial color images there-7 registry of said iilms with said strip being adapted to bring said partial ink imagespi' said three,

' colori into mutually supplementary. relation.'

2. Thevmethod as claimed inelaim l including "straight longitudinal alignment, and means to continuously press said ink-carrying members 'into registered engagement with saidreceiving strip at different aligned stations in said zone :ing substantially straight. transparent strip at 15' WhleSad veeivng strip is in continuous motion whereby said inks may be transferred from sai members to^-said strip, Y 4. The combination claimed' in claini 3 where in saidy supports comprise y',ihoi'lograpliic iilms,

on, the spacing of said aligned stations and the 20 Whfensa'd SuPBle'mentary Patterns 0f lnk-.cap rying members comprise partial images corre-1 sponding to the intensities of different supplementary colors of a common photographic subject, and wherein said" inks are of. said corre,-

the steps of partially drying each of said partial 25 Spondng 'Supplementary colorsink images by heat directly after the application thereof to said receiving strip and applying air blast to said strip after each heating to complete said drying andl to cool said strip, said heat and 5. The combination claimed in claim 3 including means to apply heat substantially evenly to both sides of said receiving strip subsequently vto each of said transfers of ink thereto, and

said air blast being applied substantially evenly ao means t0 apply COld air blast Substantially evenly strip is maintained in at condition.

Inra printing device, in combination, a pluto both sides of said straight strip whereby said to'both sides ofsaid stripsubsequently to each fofsaid applications of heat.,

BENNETT F. TERRY. 

